Let’s break down the Hokies’ points in their 4 ACC games in several ways, first by half:

Half

Avg/Game

% of Points

1st

30.0

42.6%

2nd

38.8

55.0%

OT

7.0

2.5%

Total

70.5

Â

ThisÂ clearly shows what a better team VT is offensively in the 2nd half.Â And this number is not skewed by late free throws, which can boost yourÂ points, since Tech has been playing from behind in the 2nd half of three of the four games.Â

Now let’sÂ look at this same table for theÂ opponents instead:

Half

Avg/Game

% of Points

1st

38.8

52.9%

2nd

33.0

45.1%

OT

6.0

2.1%

Total

73.3

Â

As you can see, Tech’s opponents’ points go well down in the second half, while VT’s go way up.Â Not surprisingly, VT has been playing from behind in the second half of all four of their games.

Why the raise in VT points?Â I broke down points in the maryland game, and VT had 19 fast break/transition points in the 2nd half, compared to just 2 in the first half.Â As a result, they scored 40 second half points compared to just 27 in the first half.Â I’m confident you would see similar numbers in the wake and ga tech games.Â VT needs to run more, and they seem to do this better in the 2nd half when they are forced to push the tempo more due to their deficits.

BY BASKET TYPE

Next let’s look at Tech’s points by type of bucket (2-point field goals, 3-pointers, and free throws) in ACC games:

Type

Avg. Made Per Game

% of Points

2-Point FG

16.8

45.4%

3-Point FG

5.8

24.5%

Free Throw

21.3

30.1%

An interesting stat here is that the Hokies have made more threes and fewer free throws in their wins than their losses.Â However, after four games, that isn’t much of a sample size.Â Normally free throws go up in wins, but that’s assuming you are playing with the lead, which VT has not been.

Here’s the same table for the opponents:

Type

Avg. Made Per Game

% of Points

2-Point FG

18.5

50.5%

3-Point FG

7.0

28.7%

Free Throw

15.3

15.3%

This comparison shows that VT is getting to the line much more than their opponents.Â But it is three-point shooting that has killed the Hokies.Â In Tech’s two losses, they have given up 8.5 threes while just 5.5 in their wins.Â But to me the next category is much more telling.

SHOOTING PERCENTAGES

Now let’s look at VT’s overall shooting percentage by shot type overall and in wins (ACC Games Only):

Type

Overall %

% in Wins

2-Point FG

43.2%

37.5%

3-Point FG

29.5%

31.9%

Free Throw

72.7%

65.3%

It is interesting that Tech’s percentages are actually worse in every category but threes in their two ACC wins.Â What’s that tell you?Â That Tech’s defense must have been better in their wins.Â So let’s look at this same table but for the opponents:

Type

Overall %

% in VT Wins

2-Point FG

47.1%

43.2%

3-Point FG

32.6%

29.7%

Free Throw

65.6%

72.7%

So as I suspected, the opponent’s shooting percentages go down in VT’s wins (except for FTs).Â This proves that as the Hokies defense is better, they are better.Â Â Tech certainly is a defensive-oriented team, and want to win games in the 60’s.Â Both their wins were in games that were in the 60s (in regulation, at least).Â Both their losses were in games that got in to the 70s or more.Â Tech simply can’t keep up with teams when they are scoring easily.Â Â

TURNOVERS

Finally, VT’s turnovers go way up in their losses (23 per game in losses compared to 15.5 in their wins).Â The opponents’ turnovers have held pretty steady, except for the wake game where VT lost the turnover battle 22-11.

This post was written by:

Niemo is a member of the VT Class of '98. While not a professional journalist by any stretch, Niemo analyzes and breaks down every minute of Hokie hoop action. He also researches topics of interest such as Hokie recruits, program revenue, statistical data on the team, previews VT opponents, and discusses his favorite bourbons/Scotches.
In addition to his passion for Hokie hoops, Niemo has attended 126 straight VT football home games (every game since '94), eclipsing the 100 mark in September of '09 and recently attended his 20th consecutive VT/uva game.
During the final home basketball game of his senior year, he was brought onto the court and was awarded 2 passes to the Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament in Philly during a timeout for being a "Super Fan" during his time at VT. The Hokie Bird made the award on behalf of Athletic Director Jim Weaver. Niemo was known to be in the front row of every home game with his familiar red afro hairdo.

Leave a Reply

The Wild Hokie Club!

The Hokies experienced their worst season since the ricky "program bomb" stokes era. Sure, it would have been easy to quit on you, but did we quit when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? HELL NO!

And we do it for free! But, just like NPR, we rely on the generosity of our loyal fans to help keep this humble Hokie website alive. That being said, see how you can help TechHoops.com make it to 10 years!

Jon King, Ben Floyd and Dan Rickenbach all got in on the action and we encourage all TechHoops heads to do the same.

Any donation amount earns you a spot in our Wild Hokie Club. We'll even give you a shout out on Twitter and Facebook. We may even let you get armcurled by Niemo.